Anti-violence campaigner Rosie Batty says she does not believe controversial comments by AFL commentator Eddie McGuire were meant to cause harm.
But Ms Batty says the furore over comments suggesting people might pay to drown a female football journalist highlighted the need to be aware of sexist and derogatory language.
She was asked about the comments as she delivered a petition to major political parties in Melbourne calling for the family law system to put the safety of children first.
McGuire and this Triple M colleagues had come under fire after joking they would pay to see the female AFL journalist slide into a vat of icy cold water, following a fundraiser where TV personalities and former footy stars did just that.
But their conversation went too far for many, inferring people would pay to hold the journalist underwater or "bomb" her from the sidelines.
Ms Batty said she didn't believe McGuire meant any harm but he was just as accountable as anyone else.
"I think we've moved past understanding racist jokes but clearly we haven't moved past sexist jokes and recognising they are harmful," Ms Batty told reporters.
The anti-violence campaigner said the journalist who was attacked, Caroline Wilson, likely wouldn't have been laughing.
Ms Batty also stressed that as a role model Mr McGuire had an additional responsibility to be careful with his use of language.
"I'm sure people will be making Eddie accountable for his comments, and I'm sure he'll reflect and understand, again, it's not appropriate," she said.
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